Digital Trends best concept cars of 2011

There is no denying that automobiles and cutting-edge technology have formed a successful partnership that even most Hollywood couples would envy. While some may take umbrage with the host of concept cars shown off by automakers and designers that never make it to production, apart from teasing us with stunning feats of engineering we will most likely never get to drive, these showpieces often serve the larger purpose of allowing car companies to experiment with new technologies and innovative designs, and more often than not implement these designs and technologies in actual production cars down the road. Here we have compiled a list of our favorite concept cars of 2011. We know car enthusiasts are a passionate bunch, so tell us what you think and let us know if we missed any of your favorites.

The Toyota Fun-Vii concept is a prime example of how quirky concept cars can be. By far the most innovative aspect of the Fun-Vii allows drivers to change the exterior of the car, displaying pictures, personalized text, as well as various other colors and backgrounds – the possibilities are near limitless. Other cars on this list might look flashier or sport an edgier design, but the Fun-Vii warrants its place because of how truly unique it is.

One look at the Honda AC-X, which stands for Advanced Cruiser eXperience, and you would be safe in assuming that such a car could quite plausibly exist in the real world. While we’re not taking away from its design aspects, which we feel are edgy and exhibit a zest that has been lacking in many Honda cars, both concept and production, it’s not until you examine the technology hidden within the car that you truly get a sense of why the AC-X is a true concept. The AC-X features technology that most likely won’t make it to production any time soon. Namely, the “Automatic Drive Mode Support” which would make autonomously driven cars seen in science fiction films such as iRobot and Minority Report a reality.

You can’t help but look at the Ferrari Millenio and think of the future. The aptly named Millenio not only looks the part, with its sharp angular design and smooth long running curves adorning its body, but also incorporates solar panels atop its frame — harnessing the power of the sun and fueling the dual electric engines underneath. The Ferrari Millenio doesn’t really share too much in common with the production Ferrari’s you see zipping around the Hollywood Hills, but then again that’s the point.

It’s no secret that most people detest traffic, whether it’s on the highway, main roads, or in the city. It’s never fun getting stuck in what seems to be an endless cycle of gas, break, and repeat. The Citroen CCrab concept looks to take inspiration from the animal kingdom’s small Cuba Crab and crawl around that ugly reality, quite literally. The idea behind the CCrab was to create a vehicle that could move and operate omni-directionally in and around the city, weaving effortlessly through traffic and in and out of tight spaces. Whether such a feat could actually be pulled off is yet to be determined, but it would appear having a CCrab wouldn’t be so bad if you were in a traffic jam pinch.

There was a time not so long ago when designing an all-electric vehicle (EV) would firmly cement a car’s place as a concept and cause people to question whether it could be done on a one off – let alone mass produced for consumers. Well, that era is rapidly passing and while cars like the Nissan Pivo 3 are starting to become more commonplace, it isn’t the electrical motor powering the diminutive EV that helps the Pivo 3 stand out, but rather its sleek design, and perhaps more notably, the Pivo 3’s driverless features such as its “Automated Valet Parking” system and the ability for the Pivo 3 to come to you via smarphone controls

The only brand to make it on our list twice, the galloping stallion from Italy has always been at the forefront of automotive design and innovation. And while many amazing concepts and ideas originate out of Maranello, this particular Ferrari does not. The two-seater Ferrari Celeritas comes to by way of designer Aldo Schurmann and features independent twin spoilers, a visible engine block in the rear, and punchy design that is decidedly very un-Ferrari like, while at the same time retaining some familiar aspects of the famous Italian automaker.

You don’t always need to look to the future or incorporate some non-existent or unrefined technology when designing a stunning concept car. Sometimes simply looking to the past and devising an elegant design that both honors the history and acknowledges the future is enough. Case in point: the BMW 328 Hommage. The Hommage is a re-envisioning of the famous BMW 328 roadster from the 1930’s. In fact, the Hommage is as minimalist as concept cars go, weighing in at just 1,719 lbs, with its sparse instrument panel, interior, and deep recesses where doors would normally feature.

Trying to develop a car that is totally emission-free is no easy task, but that is what Mercedes-Benz is aiming for in the luxury segment of the future with its F125 concept. The Mercedes F125 intends to incorporate a hybrid electric/hydrogen engine, which would achieve distances of up to 1000 kilometers without having to recharge, and offer semi-autonomous driving. The luxury concept would also feature an equally impressive array of technologies within its interior such as gesture controls, a 3D projection-beam for displaying navigation information –replacing more traditional instrument displays, and stunning gullwing doors that allow access to both front and rear passenger seats.

Zipping around the city easily, effectively, and with a little style will probably be just as important to drivers of the future as it is now — and it appears that Audi thinks so too. The German automakers concept creation isn’t all flair without function, though. While it won’t be winning speed contests any time soon, it certainly looks the part. As its name suggest, the Audi Urban Concept is most comfortable in the city where its inductively charged 7.1kWh battery, nimble two-seater design, and limited body weight of just a little over 1,000 lbs will make traveling through the city a breeze – and fun too.

While there are a lot of buzzwords flying about within the auto industry right now — it would appear that ‘connectivity’ is one of the big ones that auto makers are looking to incorporate more readily than others. The Ford Evos is a cloud-connected, music streaming control center on wheels. In addition to the previously mentioned features, the plug-in hybrid concept would be able to communicate with mobile devices, offer unprecedented internet connectivity – and even turn off the lights in your home. Of all the concepts on this list, the Ford Evos Concept is the most likely to make it into actual production. Those sleek gullwing doors it’s sporting don’t hurt either.

Of the many concepts cars comprising our list, the Project Flake concept is perhaps the most unique, forward thinking — and conceivably least likely to ever make the leap from concept to realty. What truly makes the Flake exceptional is its use of over 250 active body panels, electro-hydraulic flaps and adaptive winglets. These panels can dramatically change the shape and performance of the vehicle. For example, when the car is being driven on a smooth flat surface the small carbon nano-tubes pull the panels downward to create a streamlined shape and less drag. Alternatively, if the Flake were to venture off road – the numerous panels would hinge upward to increase drag and offer better performance in less forgiving terrain.